Venera Mission Summaries, 1967 - 1984

Table of Contents

Description

Venera 4 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (67-058B) towards the planet
Venus with the announced mission of direct atmospheric studies. On October
18, 1967, the spacecraft entered the Venusian atmosphere and released two
thermometers, a barameter, a radio altimeter, and atmospheric density gauge,
11 gas analyzers, and two radio transmitters operating in the DM waveband.
The main bus, which had carried the capsule to Venus, included a
magnetometer, cosmic ray detectors, hydrogen and oxygen indicators, and
charged particle traps. Signals were returned by the spacecraft, which
braked and then deployed a parachute system after entering the Venusian
atmosphere, until it reached an altitude of 24.96 kilometers.

Description

Venera 5 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (69-001C) towards Venus to
obtain atmospheric data. The spacecraft was very similar to Venera 4,
although it was of a stronger design. When the atmosphere of Venus was
approached, a capsule weighing 405 kg and containing scientific instruments
was jettisoned from the main spacecraft. During satellite descent towards
the surface of Venus, a parachute opened to slow the rate of descent. For 53
minutes on May 16, 1969, while the capsule was suspended from the parachute,
data from the Venusian atmosphere were returned. The spacecraft also carried
a medallion bearing the coat of arms of the U.S.S.R. and a bas-relief of
V.I. Lenin to the night side of Venus.

Description

Venera 6 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (69-002C) towards Venus to
obtain atmospheric data. The spacecraft was very similar to Venera 4,
although it was of a stronger design. When the atmosphere of Venus was
approached, a capsule weighing 405 kg was jettisoned from the main
spacecraft. This capsule contained scientific instruments. During descent
towards the surface of Venus, a parachute opened to slow the rate of
descent. For 51 minutes on May 17, 1969, while the capsule was suspended from
the parachute, data from the Venusian atmosphere were returned. The
spacecraft also carried a medallion bearing the coat of arms of the U.S.S.R.
and a bas-relief of V.I. Lenin to the night side of Venus.

Description

Venera 7 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik towards Venus to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet. Venera 7 entered the atmosphere of Venus on December 15, 1970, and a landing capsule was jettisoned. After aerodynamic braking, a parachute system was deployed. The capsule antenna was extended, and signals were
returned for 35 minutes. Another 23 minutes of very weak signals were received after
the spacecraft landed on Venus. The capsule was the first man-made object to
return data after landing on another planet.

Description

On October 20, 1975, this spacecraft was separated from the Orbiter, and
landing was made with the sun near zenith at 0513 UT on October 22. A system
of circulating fluid was used to distribute the heat load. This system, plus
precooling prior to entry, permitted operation of the spacecraft for 53 min
after landing. During descent, heat dissipation and deceleration were
accomplished sequentially by protective hemispheric shells, three
parachutes, a disk-shaped drag brake, and a compressible, metal,
doughnut-shaped, landing cushion. The landing was about 2,200 kilometers from the
Venera 10 landing site. Preliminary results indicated: (A) clouds 30-40 kilometers
thick with bases at 30-35 kilometers altitude, (B) atmospheric constituents
including HCl, HF, Br, and I, (C) surface pressure about 90 (earth)
atmospheres, (D) surface temperature 485 deg C, (E) light levels comparable
to those at earth midlatitudes on a cloudy summer day, and (F) successful TV
photography showing shadows, no apparent dust in the air, and a variety of
30-40 cm rocks which were not eroded.

Description

On October 23, 1975, this spacecraft was separated from the Orbiter, and
landing was made with the sun near zenith, at 0517 UT, on October 25, 1975. A
system of circulating fluid was used to distribute the heat load. This
system, plus precooling prior to entry, permitted operation of the
spacecraft for 65 minutes after landing. During descent, heat dissipation and
deceleration were accomplished sequentially by protective hemispheric
shells, three parachutes, a disk-shaped drag brake, and a compressible,
metal, doughnut-shaped, landing cushion. The landing was about 2,200 kilometers
from Venera 9. Preliminary results provided: (A) profile of altitude
(kilometers)/pressure (Earth atmospheres)/temperature (degrees Celcius) of 42/3.3/158,
15/37/363, and 0/92/465, (B) successful TV photography showing large pancake
rocks with lava or other weathered rocks in between, and (C) surface wind
speed of 3.5 m/s.

Description

The Venera 11 descent craft carried instruments designed to study the
detailed chemical composition of the atmosphere, the nature of the clouds,
and the thermal balance of the atmosphere. Separating from its flight
platform on December 25, 1978, it made a soft landing on the surface after a
descent time of approximately 1 hour. During this time, it employed
aerodynamic braking followed by parachute braking and ending with
atmospheric braking. The touchdown speed was 7-8 m/s. Information was
transmitted to the flight platform for retransmittal to Earth. It is unknown
whether the Lander Probe carried an imaging system.

Description

The Venera 12 descent craft carried instruments designed to study the
detailed chemical composition of the atmosphere, the nature of the clouds,
and the thermal balance of the atmosphere. Separating from its flight
platform on December 21, 1978, it made a soft landing on the surface after a
descent time of approximately 1 hour. During this time, it employed
aerodynamic braking followed by parachute braking and ending with
atmospheric braking. The touchdown speed was 7-8 m/s. Information was
transmitted to the flight platform for retransmittal to earth. It is unknown
whether the Lander Probe carried an imaging system.

Description

Venera 13 landed at 7° 30 minutes South by 303°, just east of the eastern
extension of an elevated region known as Phoebe Regio. It survived for 2 h 7
min in an environment with a temperature of 457°C and a pressure of 89
earth atmospheres. Venera 13 carried instruments to take chemical and
isotopic measurements, monitor the spectrum of scattered sunlight, and
record electric discharges during its descent phase through the Venusian
atmosphere. The spacecraft utilized a camera system, an X-ray fluorescence
spectrometer, and a seismometer to conduct investigations on the surface.

Description

Venera 14 landed at 13° 15 minutes S by 310°, about 950 kilometers southwest of
Venera 13. Surface temperature was 465°C and pressure was 94 Earth
atmospheres. Venera 14 carried instruments to take chemical and isotopic
measurements, monitored the spectrum of scattered sunlight, and recorded
electric discharges during its descent phase through the Venusian
atmosphere. The spacecraft utilized a camera system, an X-ray fluorescence
spectrometer, and a seismometer to conduct investigations on the surface.